Philadelphia Phillies- According to Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer, the Philadelphia Phillies have yet to initiate contract extension discussions with their three-time All-Star catcher, J.T. Realmuto, as he nears the final year of his current contract in 2025. Lauber reports that while the team has not yet approached Realmuto about an extension, talks could occur later in the offseason or during spring training. Regardless, he suggests that such a conversation, when it happens, will be a fascinating one for both the player and the organization.

Realmuto is currently in the final season of the five-year, $115.5 million contract he signed with the Phillies before the 2021 season. His $23.8 million salary will come off the team’s books at the conclusion of the 2025 MLB season, but it remains unclear whether the Phillies will look to extend him beyond that. Realmuto, one of the premier catchers in baseball, has been a vital part of the Phillies’ roster, and his value to the team both offensively and defensively cannot be overstated.

The 33-year-old catcher has had an illustrious career in Philadelphia. In 2022, he finished seventh in the NL MVP race and won his third Silver Slugger Award, his second Gold Glove Award, and was named to the All-MLB First Team for the second time in his career. His all-around performance in the field and at the plate has made him one of the most complete catchers in the game. Last season, Realmuto posted a stellar .995 fielding percentage over 99 games, further solidifying his reputation as one of the elite defenders in MLB. The year before, he led all of Major League Baseball with 1,190 putouts and finished with a .998 fielding percentage, leading all National League catchers. Remarkably, Realmuto’s fielding percentage has never dipped below .990 since his rookie season in 2014.

While Realmuto’s offensive numbers may have shown some slight regression in 2024 and he played his fewest games in a full 162-game season since his rookie year, his defensive prowess and leadership behind the plate remain indispensable. The Phillies are expected to contend for a World Series title in 2025, and with an exceptionally strong roster, ensuring the future stability of their catcher position could be key to their long-term success. Though Realmuto is aging, he still provides one of the best combinations of offense, defense, and leadership at the catcher position.

The Phillies may choose to wait until the 2025 season is underway before offering an extension, but securing Realmuto’s services for the future would solidify one of the team’s most critical positions and ensure that their battery remains as reliable as possible in the seasons ahead.